Automatic doffing apparatus



Nov. 7, 1967 N. WINTER AUTOMATIC DOFFING APPARATUS 5 sheets-sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 17, 196

IN VEN TOR. [QLLJ' 4/01 Nov. 7, 1967 Original Filed Sept.

N. WINTER AUTOMATIC DOFFING APPARATUS 6 SheetsSheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Mbler 4/70/ 2,- BY

mm) ffr/lg Nov. 7, 1967 N. WINTER AUTOMATIC DOFFI NG APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Sept. 17, 1963 INVENTOR.

M'ko Q q r 4/70 fa,-

Nov. 7, 1967 N. WINTER 3,350,868

AUTOMAT I C DOFF I NG APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 17, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 7, 1967 N. W|NTER AUTOMATIC DOFFING APPARATUS 5 Sheets45heet 5 Original Filed Sept. 17, 1963 United States Patent 3,350,868 AUTOMATIC DOFFING APPARATUS Nikolaus Winter, Bavaria, Germany, assignor to Mechanische Baumwollspinnerei und Weberei, Augsburg, Germany, a corporation of Germany Continuation of application Ser. No. 309,575, Sept. 17, 1963. This application Sept. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 579,787 Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 9, 1963, M 55,737 Claims. (Cl. 57-52) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An at least partly resilient doffing ring is lowered into a position surrounding a cop on a spindle, and then tilted to clamp the cop by pressing the same against the spindle whereupon the dofiing ring is raised with the cop above the spindle where the cop falls out of the dofling ring.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 309,575, filed Sept. 17, 1963, now abandoned.

The invention concerns apparatus for the dofi'lng, particularly automatically, of cops from the spindles of spinning frames, twisting machines and the like.

Apparatus for doffing spinning cops, have become known in which the doffing process takes place by means of claws, clamp springs, balls or the like, which are secured internally of an annular body, which is adapted to be positioned around a cop on the spinning machine when doifing is required.

When using apparatus of the kind referred to above, it

is necessary to grip the cop firmly and this may result in damage to the thread on the cops.

In yet a further apparatus, the cop is lifted off the spindle by means of a lever which engages the lower end of the tube of the cop. This apparatus may result, when used, indamage to the tube. r

The present invention obviates these disadvantages in that the doffing member has an inner diameter which is perceptibly greater than the diameter of the cop and that for the production of a grip between the dofling member and the cop, the doffing member is placed on the cop in a position which can be adjusted aslant the main axis of the cop.

Further characteristics of the invention can be observed from the following description and from the drawings, which explain, by way of example only, doffing apparatus made in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a dofling apparatus according to one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a doffing apparatus of modified form;

FIG. 3 illustrates dofiing apparatus in the doffing position;

FIG. 4 illustrates doffing apparatus in the position assumed after the cop has been removed from a spindle;

FIGS. 5a to 5d illustrate diagrammatically the individual stages of the dotting process; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary views illustrating details of means for tilting the dofiing means.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two dofiing arrangements according to the invention. a

An annular doffing means includes a rigid annular metal holder 1, which is of circular or oval shape. The holder 1 can be rigid or flexible and may be made of rubber or plastic. If the holder is rigid, then a sleeve 2, which preferably consists of resilient material such as rubber or plastic, may be secured in the holder 1.

The sleeve 2 shown in FIG. l'is a type of tube-shaped body, the upper face edge 22 or the lower face edge 23 can be chamfered angularly so that a substantially rhombic contour in side elevation results.

The sleeve 2 projects from the top and bottom of the holder 1, the lower projection being preferably longer than the upper projection.

The inner diameter of the dofling member 1 and the sleeve 2 is preceptiblygreater than the outer diameter of the cop 9, so that, as will be described later, by locating the dofling member angularly relative to the cop 9 a gripping effect is exerted on the cop (FIG. 3).

In FIG. 2 like parts are identified by like reference numerals. The holder 1 in this case is made of metal and its face edges 19, 20 are provided at intervals with cutouts 25, 26, the transition places between the cut-outs 25, 26, and the flat face edges 19, 20 are conveniently in the form of smooth curves.

If a cut-out 25 or 26 is provided on the upper and lower face edges 19, 20, then when wear takes place on the lower area 17 of the sleeve 2 the holder can be rotated through so that nearly double the life span Of the sleeve 2 results.

It is further of advantage that the sleeve 2 which is firmly secured in the holder 1 can have flat face edges 22 and 23. Cut-outs 25, 26 in the holder 1 are located in the region 17 and also if necessary the region 27 of the sleeve 2, Where, in use, the greatest fiexion of the sleeve 2 takes place. The sleeve 2 on being placed angularly relative to the cop lies inthe doffing position adjacent the foot of the cop or on the body of the yarn, and, due to the resilience thereof, engages the surface of the yarn over a considerable area to ensure eflicient doffing and avoid damage to the yarn. This effect is improved in that the sleeve 2 is upwardly extended in the area 27. The depth of the cut-outs 25, 26 of the holder of FIG. 2 is approximately equal to the amount by which the sleeve 2 projects beyond the face edges 19, 20 of the holder 1.

The sleeve 2 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is also advantageously made of rubber or plastic and thus has the advantages referred to in relation to the arrangement of FIG. 1.

According to FIGS. 3 and 4 the holder 1 is secured on i co-operates with a spindle 12, which is arranged on thespindle rail 10. Apparatus can be arranged next to one another on the rail 3.

In the position of rest of the apparatus the holder 1 and the rail 3 are in the position shown in FIG. 5a.

Rotation of the shaft 8 causes the rack-rod 4 to be moved upwardly thereby to carry the holder from the position shown in FIG. a to a position located above cop 9. As shown in FIG. 5a, the axis of holder 1 is horizontal in these positions. A pin 6!), which extends through several levers 6 of adjacent doffing devices as best seen in FIG. 7, passes during the upward movement a push rod 34- which is turnable about a pivot 35 in the direction of the arrow 37 in FIG. 6, but is blocked against turning movement in the opposite direction by its stationary support 38. In the highest position, pin 6b is located above push rod 34, and when shaft 8 is reversed and rack rod 4 moves downward with rail 3 and levers 6, pin 6b engages push rod 34 which i blocked in this direction so that pin 6b slides outwardly on push rod 34, turning levers 6 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6. Thus, the tilting of the holder 1 is brought about by a push rod 34 or the like which engages pin 6b of levers 6 and imparts to the same an impulse which is transmitted to the rail 3 over the bearing 6d of lever 6. The tilting movement of the rail 3 is restricted by the locking nose 5 which latter engages in a cut-out of hook 6a of the lever 6 so that the holder is locked. In this first horizontal position, shown in FIG. 5b, the holder 1 lies co-axially above the cop 9. Downward movement of the rack rod 4 which is also controlled by the shaft 8 and the gear wheel 7, causes the holder 1 and sleeve 2 to be moved downwardly co-axially to the cop 9, to a position in which the lower end of the sleeve 2 is at a position corresponding to the start of the lower cone of the yarn. In the horizontal position of FIG. 5b, levers 6 are turned to a position in which pin 6b is located outward of the free end of push rod 34 so that pin 6b passes push rod 34 during the downward movement.

In this operational position the stop lever 6 is freed from locking nose 5 by a push rod, not shown, or the like, similar to push rod 34 and engaging pin 6b during downward movement so as to provide a further impulse on levers 6 which act on rail 3, and the holder 1 pivots, preferably by its own weight, to a tilted gripping position in which diametrically disposed engaging portions 17, 27 press against the cop 9 and exert a gripping effect on the cop 9 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 50) whose tube is pressed against the spindle 12. In the gripping position the thread 28 lying spirally wound on the cop 9 is firmly gripped by the engaging portions of sleeve 2, or if it is not gripped it cannot become located in the area 17, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3. The sleeve 2 becomes deformed by the foot 24 of the cop or on the body of yarn on the cop 9 in the areas 17 and 27. The area 17 can preferably grip on the lower cone of the body of yarn.

After gripping the cop the holder 1 is moved upwardly by the rack-rod 4.

Due to the grip exerted between the cop 9 and the holder 1, of the sleeve 2 upon upward movement of the rack-rod 4 the cop 9 is dotted from its spindle 12 and carried upwardly beyond the spindle (FIG. 5d), the cop 9 being guided on the spindle until it leaves the same.

As soon as the cop 9 has become free from the spindle 12 (FIGS. 1 and 4), the pressure which caused deformation of the resilient sleeve 2 is relieved and, since the weight of the cop is insufiicient to clamp it in sleeve 2 and holder 1, the sleeve returns to its normal shape thereby slightly shaking the cop and causing it to slide from the sleeve 2 and fall away from the spindle rail, onto a downward slanted plate a secured to spindle rail 10, and to slide on the plate 10a until falling onto a conveyor 10b, as shown in FIG. 3, provided on the machine.

A new empty tube 3c is placed in a donning ring 3b which is pivoted about a pivot means 3a on rail 3 to a position in which the tube is located above the spindle. A tongue 3d is held by spring 32 to lock the tube until engaged by rail 3 to release the tube which drops onto the spindle.

The apparatus accordingv to the invent on m y be m- 4 ployed in the same manner for weft cops and for warp. cops.

I claim:

1. A doffing apparatus for dofiing a cop from a spindle, comprising, in combination, a dofiing means having diametrical'ly disposed engaging portions spaced from each other in longitudinal and transverse directions in relation to said spindle and consisting of a flexible resilient material, said engagng portions beng spaced in said transverse direction a distance greater than the diameter of said cop to form an opening for said cop on said spindle; operating means for moving said doffing means between a first position spaced from the end of said spindle and a second position in which said engaging portions are located on opposite sides of said cop spaced from the same in said transverse direction; and means for causing tilting of said dofling means in said second position to a tilted position in which said engaging portions engage and slightly tilt the cop to press the same against said spindle whereby the cop is gripped by said engaging portions of said dofiing means, and doffed from said spindle when said dofling means is moved to said first position by said operating means so that the cop releases said spindle whereby the counterpressure exerted by the cop against the gripping pressure of said engaging portions ceases and the cop is released by said doffing means.

2. A dofiing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dotfing means is annular and has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cop on said spindle; and wherein said engaging portions are located at opposite ends of said annular dofiing means.

3. A dofling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said annular dofiing means includes a resilient tubular sleeve having annular end portions; and wherein in said tilted position of said annular dofiing means, diametrically disposed circumferential-1y extending portions at opposite ends of said sleeve resiliently engage opposite sides of said cop.

4. A doffing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said annular dofling means includes an annular rigid holding member and a resilient tubular sleeve mounted in said annular holding member and having end portions proecting from the same; and wherein in said tilted position of said dofling means, diametrically disposed circumferentially extending engaging portions of said end portions of said resilient tubular sleeve engage said cop.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said annular rigid holding member has annular edges formed with at least one cutout in the region of at least one of sa dengaging portions of said tubular sleeve and permitting flexing of the same.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said annular end portions of said resilient tubular sleeve has annular curved edges slanted in relation to the adjacent edge of said annular rigid holding member so that at least one of said engaging portions projects farther from said annular holding member than the remainder of said one annular end portion of said sleeve.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the engaging portion located near the free end of said spindle pro ects a shorter distance from said annular n'gid holding member than the engaging portion near the base of said spindle.

8. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said annular rigid holding member has annular edges; and wherein at least one of said annular end portions of said resilient tubular sleeve has an annular edge parallel to the adjacent annular edge of said annular rigid holding member.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, and comprising a rail adapted to extend along a row of spindles including said spindle; an arm connecting said rail with said doffing means; a support movable in longitudinal direc tion of said spindles; means for mounting said rail for pivotal movement of said support; wherein said operating means moves said support with said rail and said dofiing means between said first and second positions; and wherein said means for causing tilting of said dofling means to said tilted position, are connected with said rail.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for causing tilting of said dofling means include means for locking said doffing means in said first position, and for releasing said dofiing means in said second position for causing tilting movement of said doffing means by the force of gravity to said tilted position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Septer 294-92 Smith et a1 57-52 Smith et a1. 5752 Miller 294-92 X Phelps 294-92 Mas 5752 Ingham 57-52 Ingham 5752 Ingham 5752 FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner, J. PETRAKES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DOFFING APPARATUS FOR DOFFING A COP FROM A SPINDLE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A DOFFING MEANS HAVING DIAMETRICALLY DISPOSED ENGAGING PORTIONS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE DIRECTIONS IN RELATION TO SAID SPINDLE AND CONSISTING OF A FLEXIBLE RESILIENT MATERIAL, SAID ENGAGING PORTIONS BEING SPACED IN SAID TRANSVERSE DIRECTION TO DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID COP TO FORM AN OPENING FOR SAID COP ON SAID SPINDLE; OPERATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID DOFFING MEANS BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION SPACED FROM THE END OF SAID SPINDLE AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID ENGAGING PORTIONS ARE LOCATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID COP SPACED FROM THE SAME IN SAID TRANSVERSE DIRECTION; AND MEANS FOR CAUSING TILTING OF SAID DOFFING MEANS IN SAID SECOND POSITION TO A TILTED POSITION IN WHICH SAID ENGAGING PORTIONS ENGAGE AND SLIGHTLY TILT THE COP TO PRESS THE SAME AGAINST SAID SPINDLE 